Question: Is it possible/wise to allow a little free range?

[Melissa Malone]

Good morning, I wanted to ask a question. I have a flock of 14 ladies that are 21-23 weeks old. They have had a very comfortable life in their coop 6X10 area and access to a covered inclosed run 12X16 area for a while now. Im going to be putting in an access door so that I can easily get into the run area without mucking through the attached shed/coop area. My question is: I'm thinking of allowing my ladies a little free range time and wonder if this is wise. they are very curious about the wanting to go into the shed area from the run and wonder if they would like to have a little supervised out of the run time. Is this a good idea? and what is the best way to introduce that concept. Any thought and suggestions would be well appreciated !!

 

[Folly's place]

Free ranging is fine, until it's not, because everyone loves chicken! Sooner or later you will loose one bird, or more, and that's not dependent on you being out there with them.
Adding electric poultry netting, or an electric fence with a nice big charger, will keep most ground predators out, but hawks can still get an occasional bird.
Here we free range, which is nice for the flock, but we have had losses; usually one smaller bird to a hawk, but once ten to a fox, and another time, nearly 3/4 of our flock to our own dog!
If you aren't going to cope with losses, don't free range!
Mary

 

[Mrs. K]

Let them out for an hour or two before dark. They will return naturally. Then remember to lock them up. As you try this, you can let them out more and more.

You have to know your predators, and most people do not see them and think that they are not there. Almost always they are. Coons are my nemesis. Coyotes, hawks and eagles willing to jump in an help. Sometimes neighbor dogs are the culprit.

I love to let mine out, I think the eggs taste better. But it can be a wreck. If you get hit by a predator, the predator will be back.

• do not set up a schedule as in they are out at the same time every day
• do not let them out on dark days or high wind days-gives too much advantage to predators
• DO lock them up for at least a week + if you get hit by a predator.

Mrs K

 

[Melissa Malone]

Let them out for an hour or two before dark. They will return naturally. Then remember to lock them up. As you try this, you can let them out more and more.

You have to know your predators, and most people do not see them and think that they are not there. Almost always they are. Coons are my nemesis. Coyotes, hawks and eagles willing to jump in an help. Sometimes neighbor dogs are the culprit.

I love to let mine out, I think the eggs taste better. But it can be a wreck. If you get hit by a predator, the predator will be back.

• do not set up a schedule as in they are out at the same time every day
• do not let them out on dark days or high wind days-gives too much advantage to predators
• DO lock them up for at least a week + if you get hit by a predator.

Mrs K

We do have a variety of predators. My neighbors flock is all free range and she gets hit often by a variety of predators. Im really on the fence (pardon the pun) on wether I want to let them out or not. thanks for the heads up.

 

[Melissa Malone]

Free ranging is fine, until it's not, because everyone loves chicken! Sooner or later you will loose one bird, or more, and that's not dependent on you being out there with them.
Adding electric poultry netting, or an electric fence with a nice big charger, will keep most ground predators out, but hawks can still get an occasional bird.
Here we free range, which is nice for the flock, but we have had losses; usually one smaller bird to a hawk, but once ten to a fox, and another time, nearly 3/4 of our flock to our own dog!
If you aren't going to cope with losses, don't free range!
Mary

Thanks Mary, Not sure I want to deal with losses, but I know it will happen. My husband built an amazing shed/coop with a fully contained covered run so im thinking they need to just enjoy the palace that they are in

 

[Humble Shack Farm]

Our daytime predators are neighbors dogs and hawks. The hawks we watch and listen for, and if we know they are hunting in our area, we wait to let the chickens out until later in the day. We are also outside frequently which deters the hawks from coming too close. The dogs we try to scare off whenever we see them so they don't visit too frequently or find the chickens in the first place. Dogs are the #1 reason we only free range our chickens when we're at home to keep an eye on things.

I let my chickens out to free range in the afternoon and evening after most of them have laid their eggs in the coop (that way they don't lay them in the woods!). They are definitely happier for it and their eggs are richer. It can cut down on feed costs if the chickens are finding food for themselves. Minimizes boredom behaviors like bullying and cock fights (I keep several roosters for breeding purposes) too. My roosters also act as a warning system for the hens - they fuss whenever something flies over head and the hens all run for cover.

The roosters gather the hens up at night and they are all in the coop roosting before dark so it's easy to lock them up at night. If I need to lock them up early I just take a treat and toss it in the run so they all come inside again.

 

[Boise-girls]

You might be able to find ways to make it safer for them. Mine semi-free range during the day unless we're going to be gone for several hours or near dusk. Their coop and secure pen are inside a larger fenced "free-range" area (about 24x56 ft). I've used lots of shade cloth and odds and ends to add to natural overhead shelter. It has been effective so far in keeping out hawks and cats, our main daytime threats. Fingers-crossed, though! I'm expecting we'll need to keep them penned up more after leaves fall and it gets colder.

 

[Alaskan]

I highly recommend treat training them before letting them free range.

So, pick one word, call it out, toss some scratch grains.

Well trained chickens are SO MUCH EASIER to deal with.

I always have a few that want to live in the woods instead of the coop.

Or... if I want to go to town so need to lock them up before I leave.... or whatever.

You want them to come when called.

And yes, free ranging is wonderfully idyllic. And so good for the hens. But. I no longer do it. Too many losses. The last time I was 20 feet from the hen and a bald eagle dove down and got her.

My flock is now smaller... I refuse to lose a single one.... so they stay locked up.